On This Day in History

Treaty of Greenville On this day in history—August 3, 1795—Chippewa Chief Matchekewis ceded Bois Blanc Island to the United States as part of the Treaty of Greenville. Described as an “extra and voluntary gift of the Chippewa nation,” but the reality of the treaty came in the shadow of military defeat and expanding settler colonialism. Along with Bois Blanc, the treaty forced Native American tribes to give up most of present-day Ohio, part of Indiana, Mackinac Island, and sixteen strategic sites across Michigan. The Treaty of Greenville followed the Native American loss at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. General “Mad”… Read More »

Honoring Tradition On this day in history: August 1929 marked the beginning of a cherished Michigan tradition. Eight Eagle Scouts boarded a Detroit & Cleveland Navigation Company steamship bound for Mackinac Island. Among them was a young Gerald Ford, who would one day become the 38th President of the United States. These Scouts were the very first to serve as honor guards and guides at the historic Fort Mackinac. This tradition continues to this day. That summer, Jerry Ford had just wrapped up his role on the staff at Camp Shawondossee when the opportunity of a lifetime arose. The Michigan… Read More »

When it comes to state flags, Michigan’s is more than just a blue field and some fancy heraldry. It is a patchwork of forgotten history, political pride, and a moose with very strong side-eye. On August 1, 1911, the Great Lakes State officially adopted the flag we know today, complete with its now-iconic coat of arms. But this wasn’t the first flag to represent Michigan. Far from it. In fact, the state has had three official flags. The stories behind the first two are as colorful as the designs themselves. A Flag with Wildlife—and Latin The current Michigan state flag… Read More »

Samuel Horton’s Unexpected Journey Some of the best stories in history begin with an unexpected turn. And that’s exactly how Horton Bay, Michigan, came to be. On this day, August 1, 1856, Samuel Horton arrived by sailboat on the shores of now named as Horton Bay. Traveling aboard a small flat-bottomed sailing vessel named the Rover. Horton had set out with nine people, including six of his daughters. They had a goal of reaching Grand Rapids. Supplies were low and they made a stop on a beautiful bay along Pine Lake—today’s Lake Charlevoix. Horton must have seen something special in… Read More »

Fascinating Moments from Northern Michigan’s Past July in Northern Michigan is more than sunshine and beach days—it’s packed with fascinating stories that shaped the region and the nation. From iron ore shipments that powered industrial America to a castle that once echoed with rock concerts, this month brings a treasure trove of tales. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious traveler, or just someone who loves a good story, these noteworthy July events from Michigan’s past are sure to captivate and inspire. July in Northern Michigan History July 1, 1882 – Passage Island Lighthouse Lit for the First Time The… Read More »

Michigan’s State Car Ferry Service Launches Across the Straits of Mackinac On July 31, 1923, Michigan officially launched its state car ferry service across the Straits of Mackinac. This forever changed transportation between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The initial ferry, named Ariel, was a modest riverboat that could carry only 20 cars. Despite its small size, it marked the beginning of an essential connection for residents and travelers before the Mackinac Bridge was even a dream. The Ariel had a history of its own — previously serving between Walkerville, Ontario, and Detroit. After its debut on the Straits route,… Read More »

Andrew Jackson Blackbird helps negotiate treaty July 31 marks an important date in the history of the Odawa (Ottawa) and Chippewa (Ojibwa) peoples of Michigan. The “Treaty with the Ottawa and Chippewa” was signed on July 31, 1855. The treaty established key land rights and protections for Native communities in the region. One of the central figures in this historic moment was Andrew Jackson Blackbird. He legacy still resonates today as an Odawa leader, interpreter, and historian. Andrew J. Blackbird (c. 1815 – 1908) was a remarkable man born in the L’Arbre Croche area—now known as Harbor Springs, Michigan. He… Read More »

Copper Country Shaken On July 26, 1905, the quiet towns of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula experienced a startling natural event that left a lasting mark on the region’s history. The Keweenaw Peninsula earthquake, estimated at VIII on the Mercalli Intensity Scale—equivalent to about a 5.0 to 5.9 on the Richter Scale—rattled the area, toppling chimneys, breaking windows, and sending tremors far beyond the immediate vicinity. Residents from Calumet to Copper Harbor and as far east as Marquette felt the shaking, causing such fear that many copper miners refused to descend into the mines for their night shifts. The 1905 quake was… Read More »

Fire on Isle Royale Summer of 1936 was hot, dry, and tense on Isle Royale. On July 25, a fire broke out near the Consolidated Paper Company’s lumber mill camp on Siskiwit Bay. What began as a localized blaze quickly escalated into the largest wildfire in Isle Royale history. The island, already home to Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps building the newly authorized national park infrastructure, became the frontline for a fierce battle against the flames. Back then, Isle Royale was experiencing a drought that gripped the northern Midwest, and the tinder-dry mossy ground combined with strong winds created the… Read More »

The 1913 Calumet Miners’ Strike On July 23, 1913, children marched in Calumet, Michigan, amid one of the most turbulent labor disputes in Copper Country history—the miners’ strike of 1913-1914. This strike wasn’t just about wages or working hours; it highlighted the growing impact of automation, the harsh paternalism of mining companies, and the fight for dignity by hard-working families in the face of industrial change. Over a century later, this strike offers valuable insights into the ongoing struggles between labor, technology, and corporate control. Copper mining in Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula was once dominated by a handful of powerful companies,… Read More »

Sault Ste. Marie: Where the Waters Gathered and a City Was Born On July 20, 1668 Father Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit missionary and explorer, formally established a mission at a powerful bend in the river that connected Lake Superior and Lake Huron. That settlement became Sault Ste. Marie. The Soo is recognized as Michigan’s oldest city, and one of the oldest cities in the United States west of the Appalachian Mountains. But long before Marquette arrived, the area was already known as a vital place. For over 2,000 years, Indigenous peoples gathered here, drawn to the bounty of fish and… Read More »

A Lumberman’s Gift That Built a Military Legacy Camp Grayling was officially founded July 20, 1913—thanks to the foresight and generosity of Grayling lumber baron Rasmus Hanson. What began as a gift of land to the State of Michigan has since grown into the largest National Guard training facility in the United States. Rasmus Hanson understood the importance of national defense and believed Michigan’s vast northern forests could serve a greater purpose beyond logging. He donated land near Grayling to the state specifically for military training, laying the foundation for what would become Camp Grayling. By 1914, troops began arriving… Read More »